A Brooklyn synagogue, Congregation Kesser Torah, was nearly destroyed by fire early yesterday. A spokesman for the Fire Department said the blaze was not of suspicious origin despite earlier reports at the scene referring to a “heavy smell of gasoline.” The two-alarm fire, which began shortly after midnight, was brought under control some 45 minutes later. Damage due to the fire included charring of prayer books. Officials of the congregation could not be reached for immediate comment. On July 20, the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council in Brooklyn, and a nearby two-family residence, was firebombed. The interior of the Council a storefront operation – was heavily damaged.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.